afternoon

[af-ter-noon, ahf-, af-ter-noon, ahf-, af-, ahf-]

noun

1. the time from noon until evening.

2. the latter part.

   the afternoon of life.

adjective

1. pertaining to the latter part of the day.

afternoon

/ ˌɑːftəˈnuːn /

noun

1. 1. the period of the day between noon and evening

   2. ( as modifier )

      afternoon tea

2. a middle or later part

   the afternoon of life

Other Word Forms

• preafternoon noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of afternoon¹

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; after, noon

Example Sentences

It is a sunny spring afternoon in Warwickshire and I'm parked up in a nondescript hatchback with my cameraman, poised to meet a drug dealer.

From BBC

Drip by drip, appointments were fed out through the afternoon.

From BBC

But the company announced on social media on Tuesday afternoon – the day before the children returned to school – this would no longer be possible.

From BBC

Away from western coasts, by the late afternoon and early evening there is a good chance many of us will have clear skies in time for the eclipse.

From BBC

The game will be played in the afternoon rather than the evening and is expected to be followed by NBC’s daily Olympics prime-time show from Milan.

From Los Angeles Times